Outgoing Presidents Annual Report
The following address at the Rotary Club of Hawthorn Changeover on June 28, 2012 by outgoing president Geoff Dumayne provides a wonderful example of Rotary club activities generally and the particular operation and thrust of our Hawthorn club in 2011-12.
"Distinguished guests, members and friends of Rotary
You might recall that 12 months ago I was excited to preside over this great club and I must confess to still being excited tonight. I can now hand over to Ngaire and put my feet up.
DG Keith Ryall rang me today to congratulate the club on its achievements.
My main goal for the year was to bring excitement, fun, and some changes to our club. I decided to introduce a number of changes at our first meeting and to my surprise there was hardly a ripple, but instead overwhelming support. I intend to finish with a change and that is not to present a full and lengthy report but rather a synopsis of the year so we can have more time for fellowship and entertainment.
My thanks to Secretary (Richard Logan), Treasure (Robert Ball), and Club Service Director (Gerry Cantwell) for the professional manner in which they carried out their duties.
Membership and Fellowship - Ngaire Cannon
I believe we achieved FUN at meetings thanks to a brighter format and with excellent sergeants. I observed that members arrived earlier and stayed later at meetings. I am sure this stemmed from a wonderful fellowship program. Starting with the Presidents Welcome party, film and theatre nights, Restaurant nights and the popular home hosting. All these functions were well attended.
We inducted 5 new members during the year, the most in one year for some time, but lost members mainly due to age and sickness and I think this is going to unfortunately be the case over the next few years. At one point we had six members in hospital in one month.
Foundation – David Rush International – Ian MacFarlane
Our contribution to Foundation has been outstanding.
GSE – we hosted the Indian GSE team, and our nominee Andrew Wood was selected to the outgoing GSE Group to the US. Thank you to those who were hosts for this visit.
We completed the Global Grant with RC of Durban Bay and developed another Grant with RC of Durban North to provide toilet facilities, security fencing and paving at a crèche.
Continued the mentorship of our Ambassadorial Scholar Ariel Magnes.
Donated $6000 to Foundation, $2000 to ROMAC and $1000 to Polio eradication.
We continue to support DIK to the tune of $3000.
We sponsor a child with Lille Fro and have earmarked $2500 towards a greenhouse. We are pursuing a district grant to increase our support of Lille Fro.
New Generations and Community – David Owen
Tasmania Youth exchange – none of the students had ever been away from Tassie before.
Sponsored a 2 student team from Hawthorn Secondary College to MUNA and assisted the district committee.
Interviewed 5 students for the NYSF and recommended one to district but he was not successful. However we sponsored a student to the Chemical Olympiad at Monash in January.
We also sponsored students to Lord Somers Camp, RYLAH and RYPEN.
The annual Xmas dinner at the Hawthorn Town Hall on the last Sunday before Xmas saw RCH host over 200 socially isolated residents to a meal and entertainment and a gift.
We purchased 4 Swags for the homeless.
Second – Bite
Flood clear up at Nathalia
$1,0000 to Australian Rotary Health Foundation
Vocational – Ian Stoney
Ian Stoney has unfortunately been in and out of hospital but has still made a significant contribution at district level. Our visit to Vic Roads followed by a social meeting was excellent.
Fund Raising – Noel Halford
The club was dealt a severe blow when we were unable to provide Car Parking for the Kooyong Classic due to the oval being upgraded. This project has traditionally provided over $20,000 dollars. This prompted an immediate think tank and led to the formation of Aussiefooty tips, which has now established a solid foundation for future years providing it is marketed professionally. My thanks to all those who worked so hard on this project.
The Quilt show was a tremendous success raising $9500 and providing special outings for the elderly and great fellowship for our club.
Camcare Concert returned this year and we raised $6000 – our thanks to Tony Charlton for arranging the amazing array of artists. There is no better MC than TC.
The Ham and Wine sales were an outstanding success raising nearly $25,000 and on top of that the club won $3000 courtesy of Collingwood RC which has a raffle for large purchasers of their cakes and puddings. Congratulations again to Geoff Wright and his committee who were very dedicated to ensuring the wines were excellent.
Our speakers, bulletin and website development have all been outstanding.
There have been many highlights during the year.
Firstly there have been the amazing Rotarians I have had the privilege to meet. DG Keith and AG Neville John have given outstanding leadership. Fellow cluster presidents Don Heath, Ed Brown, Michael Stillwell have been fantastic to work with and together with their wives Glenis, Anne, Jillian and also Neville and Rebecca lovely friendships have developed.
A special highlight for Jenny and I was the Rotary Fellowship Exchange visit from Texas/New Mexico. Our guest Gerrie has become a lovely friend and she is coming back to stay with us up at Noosa in October. Thank you to our host members.Their attendance at our club meeting coincided with our Tasmanian Youth Exchange visitors.
Another was the meeting attended by our GSE team from India. Again thank you to our host members. Who will ever forget Jill Groom dancing at the Saturday night social
Undoubtedly the number one highlight was the visit by the `Bosin Twins Eustinai and Eustophia some 15 years after the RCH under the guidance of PDG David Rosback were instrumental in bringing them to Melbourne for surgery to separate them. They were accompanied by their parents, brother and many of the people involved in their original visit. The girls spoke and told us of their dreams for the future
It was quite a moving experience. In fact the only other time I have seen David Rosback with tears in his eyes was savouring a special red.
Obviously none of what happens throughout the year would occur without the dedication of many people. I have had the benefit of having a magnificent board who have given their all. I would ask them to be upstanding and ask you all to show your appreciation.
I would like to thank all our members and their partners for the wonderful support and encouragement they have given me all year. I applaud you.
Last but certainly not least I thank Jenny for her support and the wonderful hospitality and catering she has provided all year, and particularly the board meetings. In fact it is Jenny’s fault that I failed in one objective. That was to have 1 hour board meetings. Thanks to them being at our home and good food and wine they instead went for 3 hours.
My best wishes and congratulations to incoming DG Dennis Shore, AG Bob Slater and presidents Ngaire Cannon, Jill Groom, Jill Forsyth and Matt Pollard .
Finally
Thank you all for giving me the honour to serve the RCH as your president for 2011-2012
Geoff "